FORMER Formula One champion Jenson Button is looking forward to his appearance at the second Barbados Festival of Speed at Bushy Park today.
The 37-year-old British driver arrived in Barbados on Friday night and will be one of the main attractions for today’s event which gets going at 2 p.m.
“I’m really excited. This is my first time in Barbados for 12 years. It’s lovely to be back,” Button said moments after emerging from the arrivals hall at the Grantley Adams International Airport.
“I’m looking forward to spending a bit of time here. I can’t wait for the Festival of Speed. It will be a lot of fun and hopefully we’ll have a lot of fans there.”
Button emerged as champion Formula One driver in 2009 but last year he announced he would compete only as a reserve driver this year.
During today’s day/night event, he will go up against a Twister aerobatic plane around the circuit.
“It’s always interesting racing against different machinery. Racing against a plane is always exciting,” Button said.
“I really don’t know how that is going to pan out but it should be fun. There are so many different activities happening that I can watch as well. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Button is the second Formula One champion to appear at the Festival of Speed following the participation of fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton last year.
He jumped at the opportunity to come after the organisers approached him.
“They got in touch. I’ve always been a fan. I know Lewis pretty well. He’s been out here previously and also a few of the drivers that came out for another event at Bushy Park. They really enjoyed their time here,” Button said.
“I was asked if I was interested to take part and I said ‘off course, why wouldn’t I be?’ I don’t know why it has taken me so long to come back. It’s crazy. I’m looking forward to the next few days. The event is the main reason why I am here, but (I also want) to see a bit more of Barbados.” (HG)
